Dr. West's Boulder Dental Blog

Hi, I’m dentist Dr. Gordon West, DDS. Most every day, I can be found at my Lafayette area dental office treating dental patients with tooth and gum problems or helping patients prevent them. There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health.

1) Lafayette diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 720-862-3630.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Longmont and Louisville folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

I help many Colorado dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional dental care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised Boulder parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday. The AAP now advises parents to take their toddler to a Colorado dentist before their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth appears.

Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, Longmont dentists find advanced tooth decay in very young children.

High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:

• Sleeping with a bottle
• Drinking juice continually during the day
• Abnormal tooth development
• Thumb sucking
• Tooth grinding
• A mother with significant tooth decay
• Other health problems

To talk to us about pediatric dentistry, call 720-862-3630. Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry can advise you on your next steps for your pediatric dentistry. We also pamper busy Lafayette parents who come to Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are between the ages of 25 and 75, we would love to provide you with the most advanced dental care in Lafayette.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201
Lafayette , Colorado 80026

http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com

720-862-3630

Our most popular procedure is porcelain veneers, and many of our patient may not know that we offer dental implants.

When a tooth is threatened by severe decay, periodontal disease, or damage from an injury, a skilled Lafayette dentist or endodontist must make a judgment call concerning the course of treatment. If the pulp of the tooth is infected or inflamed, a root canal is often the only way to save the tooth.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry: 720-862-3630

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. This tissue contains veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material. The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. After the root canal, without a crown, the tooth will become dry and brittle. The final steps are the core build up and crown.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we fabricate strong, natural-looking crowns that blend perfectly with the surrounding teeth. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a Boulder dentist, a tooth with a filled root can often function problem-free for the rest of a patient’s life.

I am dentist Dr. Gordon West. I have been practicing dentistry since 1998. During that time I have seen hundreds of teeth saved by this effective dental procedure. Root canal therapy at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette has a very high success rate.

Because teeth with infected pulp tissue often cause no symptoms, it is important to have regular dental examinations. I can determine which (if any) teeth have infected roots. If the infection in the soft pulp tissue is left untreated, it can progress to a point where the tooth cannot be saved. Is it time for a thorough dental exam? Call our office at 720-862-3630.

Call Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry immediately if one of your teeth is screaming for attention!

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised Boulder parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday.

The AAP now advises parents to take their toddler to a Colorado dentist before their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth appears.

Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, Longmont dentists find advanced tooth decay in very young children.

High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:

• Sleeping with a bottle
• Drinking juice continually during the day
• Abnormal tooth development
• Thumb sucking
• Tooth grinding
• A mother with significant tooth decay
• Other health problems

To talk to us about dental care for children, call 720-862-3630. Children love dentist Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. We also pamper busy Lafayette parents who come to Dr. Gordon West for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are between the ages of 25 and 75, we would love to provide you with the most advanced dental care in Lafayette.

Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201
Lafayette , Colorado 80026
http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com
720-862-3630

General dentists in the Lafayette area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your general dentist will refer you to a local Boulder specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team.

Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Boulder area:

Endodontists
Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving the root and surrounding parts of the tooth.

Periodontists
Periodontists practicing treat the conditions affecting gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. If you have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist in Lafayette.

Prosthodontists
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing lost teeth is called ‘restorative dentistry’. Prosthodontists have advanced training in procedures involving crowns, dental implants, bridges, veneers, inlays, and partial or complete dentures.

Pediatric Dentists
Infants, young children and teenagers have different dental needs than adults. Pediatric Dentists undergo additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the youngest population in Lafayette.

Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgeons perform surgical procedures involving the teeth, mouth and jaw. These include dental implants, surgery to repair damage due to injury, tumor surgery, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about these specialties, or have a concern regarding your oral health, please visit us at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. You will find us at 1140 West S. Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette Colorado 80026. Please give us a call at 720-862-3630.

-Dr. Gordon West, DDS

Have you ever been eating an ice cream cone when you felt a sudden jolt of pain in one of your teeth? If the enamel is eroded, or the gums have receded, the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. The substances that cause tooth pain travel to the pulp where the nerves of the tooth are located. Ouch!

Tooth sensitivity can be a signal that something is wrong. It may be caused by periodontal disease or bacteria build-up in a crack in a tooth.

Enamel erosion can be caused by a number of factors including acidic foods and drinks, teeth grinding, or cracked teeth. If your teeth are sensitive following a professional teeth whitening such as the ones we do here at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry, the sensitivity will probably be gone in a few weeks.

Surprisingly, one cause of gum recession for our Boulder patients is brushing too hard. That’s right; it is possible to brush too hard!

If you experience constant or intermittent pain in your teeth or gums, call 720-862-3630 right away to make an appointment. Dr. Gordon West takes tooth pain seriously.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette, we not only treat tooth sensitivity problems, we also perform entire smile makeovers for cosmetic dentistry patients in the Longmont and Louisville areas. You’ll find us in the 80026 zip code area.

Center for Advanced Dental Care

Run your tongue along the gumline behind your lower front teeth. Do you feel a ridge? This is probably tartar or dental calculus.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar can gradually accumulate. If not removed, these bacteria-breeding substances cause the gums to become irritated and swollen. Eventually, the gums become detached from the tooth, creating a ‘pocket’. This creates a new space for plaque and tartar to grow. In advanced stages of periodontal disease, the toxins created by the bacteria literally rot the gum, teeth and bone.

At Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Lafayette, we perform the most thorough dental cleanings possible. Gum disease can be reversed in its early stages.

Our goal is to help our Boulder dental patients prevent gum disease before any damage occurs. Cleanings include root planing and periodontal scaling. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus above and, especially, below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Planing smoothes root surfaces so it is more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate and grow. It also creates a healthy surface for the gums to reattach to the root if necessary.

To schedule a deep cleaning, call 720-862-3630. We are located at 1140 W. South Boulder Rd, Suite 201 in Lafayette. In addition to providing comprehensive dental cleanings, we create mega-watt smiles for cosmetic dentistry clients. See http://www.BoulderCountySmiles.com for more information about our state-of-the-art dental practice.

If you live in the Boulder area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Colorado dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Boulder offers many tooth restoration options such as crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 720-862-3630 to schedule a consultation.

Though most parents know the basics of children’s dental care, Lafayette dentists continue to see cavities in young children.

Caring for your infant’s teeth should begin even before they erupt. To prevent bacteria growth, parents can wash their baby’s gums with a wet washcloth after feedings.

Babies should never be put to bed with a bottle, no matter how tempting it is for tired parents. The sugars in milk or juice that stay in contact with teeth for hours can damage the enamel. When your child gets his first tooth, it is time to brush. Parents should use non-fluoride toothpaste until the child is two years old. Then, use only a tiny dab. Young children often swallow toothpaste while brushing. If a child ingests too much fluoride, teeth can become stained.

When a child is old enough to brush his own teeth, an adult should go over them after the child finishes to make sure they are clean. Most children thoroughly clean the chewing surfaces, but often fail to clean the backsides and gumline. Consult the child-friendly staff at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry about dental sealants.

Monitor your child’s meals and snacks. We all know that sugary snacks are not only bad for growing bodies; they are also bad for teeth. Scheduling set times to drink anything other than water during the day can also help prevent cavities.

To schedule a dental pediatric consultation, call Dr. Gordon West at 720-862-3630. I provide Boulder area dental care for children and families.

Many people will experience at least one tooth emergency in their life. You could break a tooth playing a sport, accidentally dislodge a crown, experience sudden pain caused by an abscess or break a wire on your braces. In the case of a dental emergency, see your Lafayette dentist as soon as possible!

Following are some immediate treatments:
Broken Tooth: Save any tooth fragments. Rinse mouth with warm water. If the area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze. A cold compress held on the cheek can reduce swelling and lessen pain. Visit your Boulder dentist as soon as you can.

Lost Filling: Save the filling if you can. It can help your dentist determine why it came out. Do not let food get stuck in the hole left by the filling. Do not chew on the tooth. Brush it gently. Call your dentist’s office to schedule an emergency appointment right away.

Displaced Crowns: If there is pain, you may apply a dab of clove oil with a Q-tip to the affected tooth (a common home remedy that may reduce pain). Save the crown. If you can’t see your dentist immediately, you can apply dental cement (available at drugstores) or denture adhesive to temporarily re-attach the crown until you can get to your dentist. Do not use other types of glue or adhesive.

By visiting your Lafayette dentist as soon as possible, you avoid pain, infection and possible further tooth damage. If you delay treatment, even for a few days, you risk needing more extensive treatment later.

For dental emergencies in and around Boulder, call Dr. Gordon West at Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry. Our phone number is 720-862-3630

Center for Advanced Dental Care